Freedom to Marry Welcomes Stop to Deportation Proceeding Against Married Same-Sex Couple

(New York, NY, June 30, 2011) – Below is a statement from Evan Wolfson,
founder and President of Freedom to Marry, on today’s announcement that
an immigration judge approved the government’s request to put a stop to
the deportation proceedings against Henry Velandia, the foreign-born
legal spouse of an American citizen, Joshua Vandiver, stating that the
case “is no longer a law enforcement priority”:

“Freedom to Marry applauds the U.S. government for bringing an end to
this deportation process, which threatened to cruelly separate a couple
who, like so many others, fell in love, made a lifetime commitment to
one another, and got married – but because they are gay, were denied the
normal family immigration protections afforded other married couples.
While this exercise of sound government discretion is most welcome, Josh and Henry,
along with so many other families, should not be vulnerable to the
unfair treatment or uncertainty caused by federal marriage
discrimination against same-sex couples. It is time for Congress to
pass the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the so-called
Defense of Marriage Act and end the hardship and unfairness that burden
the lives of loving and committed couples. ”

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Freedom to Marry is the campaign to win marriage nationwide. We are pursuing our Roadmap to Victory by
working to win the freedom to marry in more states, grow the national
majority for marriage, and end federal marriage discrimination. We
partner with individuals and organizations across the country to end the
exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage and the protections,
responsibilities, and commitment that marriage brings.